Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1887-06-30
THE INFANT JESUS.
EXPLANATORY NOTES BY REV. r.
S. MARTHuR, D. D.

Golden Text, Matt. 1, FL.
v. l. Now when Jesus was born.-The full
account of the Sgviour's birth we find in Luke
ii, 1-20. Matthew mentions this great event
in the preceding chapter, and here only Incl
deDtally. We do not know with absolute
certainty, and it is likely that we never shall
know, the day, month or year in which Christ
was born. Perhaps it was designated by
God that weshould not in this manner know
Christ after the flesh. The birth of Christ
has been by different scholars fixed in almost
every month of the year. Not until the
Fourth century was there a somewhat gem
eral agreement upon Dec. 25. There is oppor-
tunity for much discussion on this point.
Bethlehem of Judea--This was an ancient
town belonging to the tribe of Judah. There
was another Bethlehem in the tribe of Zebu-
lun The word signifies "house of bread"
Here Jacob was bereaved of his beloved Ra-
chel. Here Ruth CLEANED in the fields Of
Boaz- Here was the house of Jesse and the
birthplace of David, and 80 in Luke the place
Is called "the city of David"
In the days Of Herod the King.-Judea at
this time was under the control of Rome
The Herod mentioned here was surnamed the
Great. He was willing to be all things to all
men, that thereby he might secure his own
fortune; but he utterly failed TO win the re-
gard Of the Jews. They considered him
foreigner and despised him also for his con.
cessions to heathenism-
Wise Men, etc-These were magi or ma
gians. Originally the name was given to the
priestly class among the Medians and Per-
slams. They studied astrology and other oc-
cult sciences. Later the name was applied to
all philosophers who cultivated these sciences.
According to their light these men were re-
ligious. Tradition makes them three in num-
Der, from the three gifts mentioned in V. IL;
and it also makes them representatives from
IS many different countries These men fol-
lowed the light they had. 1t led them to him
who is the true light. Now they come to
Jerusalem, the capital of Judea, when look
ing for the king of the Jews.
" q The King of the Jews-This Is such
anguage as Gentiles would naturally use.
The throne of David had long been vacant,
The wise men were sure the king was born;
they wished simply to know in what place
His Star.-They thought the star in some
way was related to him. The word trans
lated "star" may be applied to fixed star, a
comet or meteor. Kepler first made the as
Economical calculations by which it was
found that in the year Of Rome 747 con-
junction Of the planets Jupiter and Saturn
took place three times during the year. 1t
was also observed that these conjunctions
took place in the part of the heavens where,
according to astrology, the greatest events
are betokened- For six months these planets
kept near each other. Some interpreters
suppose that the wise men saw the first of the
conjunctions and started; that they arrived
at Jerusalem in about five months, and going
70 Bethlehem the November conjunction was
the star which guided them to the place
where the young child was. This would
place the birth six years before our era
Chinese astronomical tables record the ap-
pearance of a new star two years later. God
may have attached his communication of
new truth to the knowledge which these men
bad, or he may have created luminous meteor
for this special purpose. In the East e.,
we when we were) In the east saw the star;
Or we saw his star las it appeared) in the east
Worship.-This word originally means to kiss
the hand or the garment, or even the ground,
Is a token of inferiority.
". 8. Herod :. Troubled.-The visit and
inquiry of these wise men startled Herod
His severity toward rivals had already led to
the commission of murder. That rival heir
had been born to his throne was news which
he could not welcome All Jerusalem.-This
Is the natural form Of expression for all the
population.
v. 4. Herods conduct shows plainly that
be understood the question of the Magi to
refer to the Messiah. The chief priests and
Icribes-HProbably the Sanhedrin-the high
sst civil and ecclesiastical court" This con-
listed Of seventy-one or seventy-two men,
bers. The high priests, elders and scribes
we're included. Sometimes, as here, only two
orders are named. The chief priests included
The heads of the twenty-four classes into
which David divided the priests. The elders
we're men of rank chosen from among the
people; the scribes were the copyists and ex-
Founders of the Scripture. Demand.-The
meaning is rather, inquire of them. II any
persons could be expected to know about the
prophecy concerning the king of the Jews,
;hese certainly were the persons.
VS.. To Herod's question no doubtful re-
ply Is given. 1t is as If they had said: Of
eourse he must be born in Bethlehem, for
this is the place selected by God as told US by
bis prophet.
70. Instead of Ephratah, as in Micah, we
have Bethlehem in the land of Judea. This
description distinguishes it from Bethlehem
In Zebulun. 1t is not at all, or not by any
means, the least. While in one sense it is the
least, in another and higher sense it is the
greatest In the birth of David this honor
was partially enjo- ed; it is completed in the
birth of the antitype, David's son and
David's Lord Rule.-The idea includes all
parts of shepherds Office, feeding, protect
ing, ruling. The latter part of the verse is
not formally contained in the words of the
prophet, though the thought is found in the
context.
vs. rs The answer of the Sanhedrim was
decisive Herod would next naturally in
quire whether there had recently been any
birth at Bethlehem which correSponded to
the prophecy. The wise men had mentioned
the star, so Herod inquiries when it had ap-
peared His desire was to perfect his plans
to destroy the child and perhaps the Magi
also; their homage to another would excite
his wrath. His hypocrisy for time deceived
them.
vs. 9-10. Tie sudden appearance of the
star was unexpected They had followed its
light long time; that light they supplement
ed by inquiries where knowledge seemed
most likely to be obtained.
V. IL. Come into the HouSe-The holy
family may have gone from the stable
Worship.-The Magi observed the usual ORR
entail manner of showing regard for a supe-
rior; but it would seem that there is deeper
thought in their homage. God may have
given them some insight into the divine char
acter of this holy child. Opened Treasures
The bags and boxes. 1t was customary for
those who called on kings and others Of dis
tinction to bring gifts. Frankincense.-This
is product Of Arabia and India. 1t is a
white gum of bitter taste, secured by making
incisions in the bark of the tree. Myrrh IS
also q gum obtained from a low tree, which
grows both in Arabia and Africa.
V. II The Magi seem to have had divine
direction. Warned of God.-The words SO
rendered imply reply to an inquiry. They
probably became conscious of Herods mo-
tives.-Sunday School World.
They Have EN- There, Too.
@Can hogs be taught tricksr asks a chill